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The Police Chief shall investigate the character of the applicant for a taxi license or a taxi driver license and shall inspect each taxi to be licensed, and shall report on these matters. Such investigations, inspection, and report may be waived by the City upon showing of a valid license, duly issued by a municipality which has any portion of a common corporate boundary with the City in compliance with requirements similar to or more stringent than those contained in this chapter.
As a condition to granting a taxi license, the applicant shall file with the City evidence of liability insurance coverage, via a certificate of insurance executed by a company authorized to do insurance business in this State, and that is acceptable to the City and provides the minimum limits set by Council resolution. Each certificate of insurance shall require written notice to the City ten calendar days prior to any nonrenewal, suspension, cancellation, or termination of coverage. Failure to maintain such coverage in full force and effect shall constitute immediate revocation of the license.
The City shall promptly review each application and shall issue a license when the City Administrator determines that there is no information which would indicate that the issuance of such license would be detrimental to the safety, health, or welfare of residents of the City. An application for a license may be denied based on an adverse driving record, conviction of other crimes or prior experience of the applicant that demonstrates a disregard for the safety of others and/or a lack of responsibility.
All taxi licenses issued pursuant to this chapter shall be valid for one year. The license fee provided for under this chapter shall be nonrefundable and not prorated for revocation or suspension. However, the license fee shall be prorated for operation of a taxi service for only a portion of a license period. The license period shall commence on July 1, or on the date the operations are started, and shall terminate the last day in June. Renewals shall follow the same procedure as set for initial issuance.
Each taxi license shall be issued for one specific taxi only and shall not be transferable from taxi to taxi or to a different operator. The operator shall notify the City when a licensed taxi is withdrawn from service to be replaced by another taxi. A license for the replacement taxi shall be issued after payment of a transfer fee, as established by resolution of the Council, subject to compliance with vehicle inspection requirements.
The City may revoke or suspend any license issued under this chapter for the following reasons:
1. Fraudulent Statements. The operator has made fraudulent statements in the application for the license or in the conduct of business.
2. Violation of Law or Ordinance. The operator has substantially violated the requirements of this chapter or the State motor vehicle laws.
3. Operation as to Endanger Safety, Health, or Welfare. The operator has conducted business in a manner that substantially endangers the public safety, health, welfare, order, or morals.
A hearing shall be conducted before revoking or suspending a license. The operator shall be given notice of the hearing at least five and not more than 30 days before the date of the hearing. The notice shall be in writing and shall be served personally or as required for personal service by the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure. The notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and the reasons for the intended revocation or suspension.
Each vehicle for hire shall have prominently displayed a fare rate card visible to all passenger seats, and each driver shall provide a copy of the fare rate card to a passenger, when requested. A passenger of a taxi may request from the driver an estimate of the fare to be charged, and the driver may provide such an estimate based on the fares displayed on the rate card. The driver shall then charge a fare not to exceed the estimate given plus the rate card fare for one-half mile.
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